New board for Darlaston regeneration to be chosen today
A board of people who hope to transform Darlaston will be chosen today (August 4).
Last year, Darlaston was awarded £20million over 10 years as part of the government’s Long Term Plan for Towns programme through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
A board for the scheme was set up last year, but ward member for Darlaston South, Councillor Paul Bott, said it was ‘not representative’ of the people of the area.
Councillor Bott said he shared his concerns with the council leader at the time, Councillor Garry Perry.
A call was then put out for residents to submit applications to join it, asking about their experience and what they would bring to the board.
Now, six ward councillors, three from Darlaston South and three from Bentley and Darlaston North, will make a decision on which applicants will form the board.
Councillor Paul Bott said: “All the decisions on the £20million will be decided by the priorities of residents, not the council’s priorities, residents’.
“They’ve got to live in this area and they can spend it on what their priorities are.”
Councillor Bott said a survey was carried out with the residents in Darlaston asking how the money should be spent. He said crime levels, anti-social behaviour and lack of provision for kids were big concerns.
Once board members have been chosen, they will undergo training at the council and public board meetings will be scheduled.
Councillor Bott said one councillor from each of the two wards covering Darlaston will also be on the board to support members, but they will not have any voting rights.
He said: “All the decisions have to be made by the residents and the votes will be taken by the residents.
“The people of Darlaston are that disillusioned with what’s going on in the area, there’s no youth facilities, the streets are filthy, there’s no police presence at all. There’s nothing in the area.
“It has been frustrating for the residents but now progress is being made to form the board, and there should be progress in the next few weeks.
“In the past there’s always been council involvement, and you have seen with the town plan and the regeneration, only half of it was done.
“Now, Darlaston people can take some ownership of the town and move forward with the funding.”
